From 1946: Wichitan is killed in crash

This report appeared on the front page of The Wichita Eagle on Sunday, June 9, 1946.

Wichitan is killed in crash

Raymond Dale Reece, 23, victim as motorcycle rams side of car

In group of cyclists

Machine hits auto making U turn south of city on Broadway

His neck broken, Raymond Dale Reece, 23 of 420 ½ South Emporia, died en route to a hospital Saturday afternoon after a motorcycle he was riding struck a car driven by P. M. Corridon, 42, of Champaign, Ill., a salesman of doctors’ supplies.

The accident happened in the 3000 block on South Broadway. Accompanying a group of about 25 motorcycle riders, Reece was heading for Oklahoma City after finishing work for the day as a painter.

Deputy Sheriffs Bob Dallas and Art Fesler said Reece stopped at the side of the highway to talk with another motorcycle rider and was continuing on his way when the accident happened.

Driver Held

According to the deputies, Corridon, also traveling south on the road, had pulled to the side and was in the process of making a U-turn when the accelerating motorcycle struck the side of his car.

They quoted the salesman as saying he had believed all of the motorcycles had passed and thought the way was clear to make the turn.

Corridon was released on his recognizance, Dallas said. No formal charge was filed against him. The release was arranged through Corrdion’s insurance company, Dallas said.

Corridon, who has been staying at a hotel in Wichita, was accompanied by his wife at the time of the accident. He is to report Monday to the office of County Attorney Pat Warnick.

Reece was taken in an ambulance to St. Francis hospital, but died en route, the deputies said. Dr. Cramer Reid, resident physician at the hospital, said death was caused by a fractured neck. He acted as coroner.

A native Kansan, Reece was born July 12, 1922, in Goodland. He came to Wichita seven years ago from Stafford.

Reece was married to the former Erma Grace VanBuren August 7, 1940, at Wellington. He was a member of the Presbyterian church.

Besides his wife, survivors include a 4-year-old son, Larry Eugene Reece; his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth E. Reece, 2237 South Hydraulic; two sisters, Mary Idalida and Belva Lee Reece, both of the home; two brothers, Howard L. Reece, also of 2237 South Hydraulic, and Pfc. George Bentley Reece, of Rheims, France.

Funeral services will be announced by the Byrd and Snodgrass mortuary.

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This report appeared on the front page of The Wichita Eagle on Monday, June 10, 1946.

Charge driver in car death

County Attorney Pat Warnick this morning issued a negligent homicide warrant against P.M. Corridon, 42, New York City, a salesman of doctor’s supplies. Charges are the outgrowth of an accident south of Wichita Saturday afternoon in which Raymond Dale Reece, 23, 420 1/2 South Emporia, was fatally injured.

Information handed the county attorney showed Corridon had pulled to the side of the road. Reece was riding a motorcycle with a group of other riders. He had stopped and gotten behind. Corridon, information stated, started to make a U turn and Reece’s cycle crashed into the side of the car.

In the warrant, Warnick sets out that Corridon was negligent in failing to give warning when pulling out into a traffic lane. Reece died from a broken neck, records show, en route to a hospital.

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This report appeared on the front page of The Wichita Eagle on Tuesday, June 11, 1946.

Reece Rites are Set

Hold Services Wednesday for Victim of Motorcycle-Car Collision

Funeral services for Raymond Dale Reece, 23, 430 1/2 South Emporia, killed Saturday afternoon in a collision between his motorcycle and a car on South Broadway, will be held at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Byrd and Snodgrass mortuary. Rev. L.H. Deffner, pastor of the Immanuel Lutheran church, will officiate.

Members of the Jeep Motorcycle club, of which he was a member, will act as pallbearers. The bearers and other club members, headed by two police officers who are in the organization, will ride in a motorcycle escort to the cemetery.

Temporary interment will be made in Old Mission mausoleum. The family will await word from his brother, Pfc. George Bentley Reece, in the army at Rheims, France, as to whether he can attend before final burial will be made in Wichita Park cemetery.